Speaking to Huffington Post, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige addressed the recent casting rumors of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Paul Rudd as a contenders for ANT-MAN and Vin Diesel as Groot in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. I'm so confused right now about Vin Diesel as Groot as I honestly thought it was already in the bag, which seems to be the case with most folks. Diesel is very vocal, albeit cryptic, about his (non) involvement with the film that it's gotten too confusing to comprehend. However, Feige clears a good amount of that up here, as well as the ANT-MAN rumors. However, when Feige "clears" something up it usually creates all-new confusion, so get ready...

On Diesel for Groot:"Yeah, I think it's close. I think it's close to being official for the Groot character. But, not 100 percent yet."

On why Joseph Gordon-Levitt's name constantly pops up for Marvel projects:"Well, sometimes it's because we are legitimately talking, and sometimes it's just because he's a prominent actor out there now. And lots of rumors surround prominent actors."

Notice Feige says "sometimes it's because we are legitimately talking"? Is that reading into it too much? Probably, but with Gordon-Levitt being kind of a hot property these days you have to believe that Marvel is, at the very least, considering him for a number of projects. Even if the actor deflects it right and left, he certainly doesn't deflect whether or not conversations have been had. Personally, I like Paul Rudd for ANT-MAN, but even still I'm open to other ideas outside of him and Gordon-Levitt. As for Diesel as Groot? Dude, it's just a voice (and one phrase), even if a signature one. Wake me when he's playing a live character.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY is set to open on August 1, 2014 with ANT-MAN scheduled for July 31, 2015.

about Ant-Man's plot...

I wrote this on the next article about The Wasp casting news on Ant-Man, but i really wanna get peoples' opinions on what they think about it... so, lemme know what you guys think!:

"i think Wright should make it so Hank Pym has just created the Pym particles, and already knows that, other than the practical and industrial, and other multitude of uses they could have and impact upon the world, but first, he decides he wants to use it for good, and to create his own superhero, what with the

I wrote this on the next article about The Wasp casting news on Ant-Man, but i really wanna get peoples' opinions on what they think about it... so, lemme know what you guys think!:

"i think Wright should make it so Hank Pym has just created the Pym particles, and already knows that, other than the practical and industrial, and other multitude of uses they could have and impact upon the world, but first, he decides he wants to use it for good, and to create his own superhero, what with the emergence of all these super-powered humans popping up all over the place (i.e. the Avengers)... thus, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pym never actually becomes Ant-Man, and saves the mantle for whom he decides to choose for his first test run of the particles on a human for super-powered purposes... thus, he picks Scott Lang to become his guinea pig, and creates Ant-Man.... this leaves Pym to become Giant Man in the future, and his wife Janet (or girlfriend, in the movie, if they arent married yet), to become The Wasp in the future as well.... What do you guys think??? Do you think this is where Wright is taking his idea for the script?? Regardless, do you think this is the best way, or at least a good way, for the movie's plot direction to take?? Im curious to see what you guys think of the movie being made this way, rather than Pym being the star from the get-go, and being Ant-Man, and instead being the Creator of Ant-Man...??? Please, respond with your thoughts.... (thanks in advance, if you do)."

by the way, i really think Paul Rudd is an amazing choice for the lead role of Ant-Man, but as Pym, he doesn't quite fit... so, its starting to make more and more sense that Wright has chosen to have Ant-Man as someone other than Pym, most likely, Scott Lang.... and Rudd would make an awesome Scott Lang! so yea... just wanted to say that.

by the way, i really think Paul Rudd is an amazing choice for the lead role of Ant-Man, but as Pym, he doesn't quite fit... so, its starting to make more and more sense that Wright has chosen to have Ant-Man as someone other than Pym, most likely, Scott Lang.... and Rudd would make an awesome Scott Lang! so yea... just wanted to say that.

I also thought VD was already signed to GotG? Sounds fishy. Or maybe I just want it to sound fishy because he hyped his interaction with Marvel so much and it turned out he was cast as a tree.

I could definitely see Rudd as Ant-Man. I have a hard time seeing him playing the darker aspects of Hank Pym's character, but I don't know that any of that will even be a part of it.

JGL seems a stranger choice to me for a couple of reasons. First, Marvel notoriously does not like to pay

I also thought VD was already signed to GotG? Sounds fishy. Or maybe I just want it to sound fishy because he hyped his interaction with Marvel so much and it turned out he was cast as a tree.

I could definitely see Rudd as Ant-Man. I have a hard time seeing him playing the darker aspects of Hank Pym's character, but I don't know that any of that will even be a part of it.

JGL seems a stranger choice to me for a couple of reasons. First, Marvel notoriously does not like to pay established actors' salaries. Second, JGL seems to take himself pretty seriously and I wonder if he would deign to take on a comic book movie leading to likely several more? I know he was in G.I. Joe but no one would know that was him if his name wasn't in the credits.

Marvel does listen to its fan base. They all squealed in excitement when Spader was cast as Ultron. Another squeal over Rudd so Feige is listening. This is good. They have hit home run casting decisions with RDJ for Iron Man, Hemsworth for Thor, Evans for Captain America, Jackson for Fury. Intuitively they are just making sound casting decisions. There is a trust built up.

Marvel does listen to its fan base. They all squealed in excitement when Spader was cast as Ultron. Another squeal over Rudd so Feige is listening. This is good. They have hit home run casting decisions with RDJ for Iron Man, Hemsworth for Thor, Evans for Captain America, Jackson for Fury. Intuitively they are just making sound casting decisions. There is a trust built up.

Love the Marvel movie brand. But seriously, why even interview Kevin Feige, he never gives you a straight answer. It's always "no we're not doing this thing, but there is potential that we could do that thing". Why expect him to give you any clarification on rumours. He plays his cards close his chest, and in all honesty the reality is either a) they have spoken to Levitt and Rudd and are in the process of making a decision, or 2) they haven't spoken to either, but the rumour mill just gave

Love the Marvel movie brand. But seriously, why even interview Kevin Feige, he never gives you a straight answer. It's always "no we're not doing this thing, but there is potential that we could do that thing". Why expect him to give you any clarification on rumours. He plays his cards close his chest, and in all honesty the reality is either a) they have spoken to Levitt and Rudd and are in the process of making a decision, or 2) they haven't spoken to either, but the rumour mill just gave him an idea on who to cast for Ant-Man.